Clare's Country Queen Living the Dream

Story by LCC Radio Staff Reporter Sarah Spohn

With her Southern hospitality, you might just think this blonde country Kari is from a sweet tea region of the South. You’d be wrong. Kari Lynch was born in Northern Michigan. Kari calls Clare home, but has certainly branched out from there. She met her band in Grand Rapids, and also spends much of her time in the home of country music--- Nashville.

Fans describe her as a cross between Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, a compliment she’ll willingly take. Lynch, however, describes her sound as “country with folk, rock and pop flair.”

“My songs naturally have a country and singer/songwriter style base because that’s where my heart is, but I love many different styles of music and I try to let the song go where it needs to go. When I write, I just want to write a good, worthwhile and honest song without over-thinking too much.”

Growing up, it wasn’t all country for this artist, though. This blue eyed beauty can still rock with the best of ‘em. “Growing up I listened to quite a mix of music. I mostly listened to country, rock and blues,” Lynch said. When her mom gave her a cassette player, her first cassettes were Patsy Cline, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley, Aerosmith, The Charlie Daniels Band and Bonnie Raitt.

“I’m lucky that my parents didn’t put limits on what I could and couldn’t listen to. I am so thankful for that because I got to listen to all the country classics like Patsy, Loretta, Hank and Cash and also got an awesome mix of classic rock and blues, and even some hip hop in there as well. Aerosmith, Tom Petty, REO Speedwagon, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, AC/DC, Boston, and Journey were bands I listened to a lot. I’ve always been inspired by singer/songwriter types, great lyrics and unique music, so growing up I listened to anything that could grab me with a good lyric,” Lynch said.

Clare’s country queen is also thankful to make music her full time career, but that doesn’t come without its own sacrifices.

“Music is my full-time job and I am thankful for that every day. It’s not easy of course,” Lynch said.

“I’ve made a lot of sacrifices in other areas of my life to be able to play music full-time, but to me it’s completely worth it. I’m doing something that I love and getting to put my whole heart into it.”

Besides getting to rock out on stage, Lynch also handles the lesser rock star roles of the biz like booking, promotions, scheduling, phone calls and e-mails.

Constantly touring for the last year and a half, the Kari Lynch Band has performed at countless summer festivals, opening up for some of Lynch’s musical icons. Chances are, you’ve heard of them – Little Big Town, The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, The Charlie Daniels Band, Thomas Rhett, and Alabama. Lynch spoke about what it was like to meet her idols.

“Getting to open for Alabama was unreal,” Lynch said. “Here is this band that I’ve been listening to since I was a little girl and now I’m opening for them? It was nuts and they were the nicest guys and had so many encouraging things to say.”

The up and coming country artist admits it’s still an unreal feeling that her dreams are coming true before her very eyes.

“When I was first getting started I had all these goals to play those shows and it’s a pretty crazy feeling to look back at the last few summers I have had and know that I got to realize those goals.”

While her list of achievements is already impressive enough, this rising star dreams for even more in the future. Garth Brooks, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Tristan Prettyman, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson and John Mayer are a few artists this country queen would love to work with in the future.

And There’s no doubt this country singer will go far places with her band. Her Michigan fan-base is growing and she’s no stranger to us, here at LCC Radio. Lynch and the boys are one of the participating artists for WLNZ’s newest installment, The Grand River Studio Sessions, something Lynch said is one of her favorite things she’s gotten to do.

“My experience recording the Grand River Studio Sessions was awesome. I’ve always had a fantastic time working with LCC Radio,” Lynch said.  “They are some super sweet folks who have been very supportive of my music for a long time. I loved the intimate feel of the studio sessions. It’s cool to have the interview portion as well and really get to dive into talking about the songs. I’m a songwriter and it’s nice to share what my songs are about and where the inspiration for them came from. I’d love to go back and do another session again sometime. Definitely one of my favorite things I’ve gotten to do.”

Up next on this busy country singer’s agenda is some good ol’ R&R.

“The guys and I have had a very, very busy last few years, especially these last two,” Lynch said. “This winter we are actually slowing down a little bit on full band shows and taking some time to record a new album.”

Currently writing and playing in Nashville, Kari is busy developing the sound for the next record, one which she’s very excited to start recording. While this sunshiney country gal seems to have had quite a year, she remains grounded in a business that can easily get out of hand.

“I’m so looking forward to everything this next year will hold,” Lynch said. “Trying some new things, taking some chances and continuing to work hard in this business to reach goals and make a difference...that’s all I can really ask for.”

MUSIC & LINKS